“The Syrian opposition accepted the ceasefire, but refused Russia”

26.02.2016

Part of the Syrian opposition, which continues armed confrontation with the regime of Bashar al-Assad, agreed to participate in a two-week armistice, an agreement which was reached earlier. However, the rebels refused to accept Russia as a guarantor of the ceasefire.

photo: Alexander Astafiev

For the ceasefire for a period of 2 weeks was stated by the “Higher Committee on negotiations of the Syrian opposition”, acting with the support of Saudi Arabia, according to RBC with reference to Reuters. According to the opposition, the ceasefire provides an opportunity to understand whether Damascus is willing to abide by the terms of the agreement.

At the same time, the rebels refused to recognize the Russian Federation as the guarantor of agreements. They believe that Russian military are party to the conflict.

Shortly before this, the foreign Minister of Syria Faisal Mekdad said that Damascus has decided to cease hostilities in accordance with the agreement of Moscow and Washington.

According to the plan, on February 27, Syria’s got to be a truce between government forces and armed opposition groups. The attacks on “Islamic state” and “dzhebhat EN-Nusra”, banned in Russia, will continue.

Recall that September 30, 2015 Russia after a formal request to Syrian President Bashar Assadlaunched an air operation in this country against the militants of the “Islamic state”. According to preliminary data, the country sent more than three dozens of Russian attack aircraft.

See also:three steps from the abyss: what Russia gives the truce in Syria